The right to request flexible working: an Acas guide

Leaflet summary

This good practice guidance is designed to help employers and employees with handling the statutory right to request flexible working. It is a companion guide to Acas' statutory code of practice, which takes effect from 30 June 2014.

Previously the right only applied to the parents of children under 17 or 18 in the case of parents of disabled children or to those caring for an adult, but from 30 June 2014 any eligible employee can apply to work flexibly for any reason.

Flexible working can describe the place we work - such as homeworking - or the kind of contract we are on - such as a temporary contract.